Hardcore games for your iPhone

Last week, I offered my fair readers a heaping helping of iPhone games, both fresh releases of older games and some nice franchise extensions. But what about new games?

I'm not talking about those little time-wasters that you download on a whim so you have something to do while waiting for the dentist to call you into his torture chamber. I mean those dedicated titles that would feel at home on your PS3 or Xbox 360.

Now, I don't want to belittle games like "Angry Birds" or "Plants vs Zombies," or the developers who make them. These are simple games with fantastic designs and addictive gameplay. But hardcore gamers want hardcore games, so when Epic Entertainment -- the developers behind such hits as "Gears of War" and the "Unreal" series -- decided to release an iOS game, gamers took notice.

In fact, Epic used its Unreal Engine 3 to create two of the most ambitious iOS games, "Infinity Blade" and "Infinity Blade II."

An action game with a few role-playing elements, "Infinity Blade" casts you as a warrior assaulting the castle of the God King. Unfortunately, the God King wields the impossibly powerful Infinity Blade (bet you saw that coming), which he plunges into your chest, killing you and absorbing your soul.

Twenty years later the warrior's son -- whom you now control -- seeks his revenge. You wander through the castle, defeating every manner of opponent until you meet the God King. Fight fight fight. Stab stab stab. You lose, and your soul joins your father inside the Infinity Sword.

Twenty years later that warrior's son -- whom you now control -- shows up in the castle ... well, you get the idea. It's Disney's "Circle of Life" with more blood and soul sucking.

Aside from the astounding graphics, the likes of which you've never seen on a mobile device, "Infinity Blade" features a tremendous control scheme that perfectly complements your touchscreen.

"Infinity Blade" casts you as a warrior assaulting the castle of the God King. Unfortunately, the God King wields the impossibly powerful Infinity Blade, which he plunges into your chest, killing you and absorbing your soul. (Epic image)

There's no fauxstick here, nor any virtual buttons. Finger swipes control the game's main sword-swinging, blocking and dodging mechanics. Through the extensive tutorials, you'll quickly learn to apply the best offense and defense to make it through each level, referred to as "bloodlines."

Once you whet your appetite with 2010's original "Infinity Blade," jump right into "Infinity Blade II." This sequel fleshes out the concept of the original to glorious effect.

No longer is each level a series of quick fights ending in your demise. Players can fully explore the castle of the God King, complete with branching paths requiring multiple play-throughs, and learn about the game's world and backstory.

Epic didn't muddle the gameplay by adding complicated controls or stuff the sequel with random fluff. You'll find two new play styles, a host of new weapons, new enemies to defeat and best of all, new bosses.

By the time you've finished the six-hour campaign, you'll know you've played through a classic game on par with anything on a home console.

Finally, for those looking for something more intellectual than the sword-swinging "Infinity Blade" games, check out "Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP".

This oddly long, more oddly spelled game might just be the iOS's first masterpiece. Despite the name, "Superbrothers" isn't a hack-and-slash combat game; it's a highly nuanced point-and-click adventure, perfectly executed on the iPhone.

Look past the decidedly retro-looking graphics and let yourself be absorbed into the game's world. As an adventurer named Scythian, you explore the world, solving puzzles and engaging in the occasional battle to get through the fantastical story.

Without revealing too much -- because "Superbrothers" is as much an experience as it is a game -- I can confirm that you will find both swords and sorcery ... er ... sworcery, to engage with the expansive world. But most of your discoveries will be made by simply touching the right part of the screen at the right moment.

"Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery" is a feast for your eyes and your ears, and if you own an iPhone, shouldn't be missed.

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